<p>If you have any questions, just ask. Do it quickly, though, for I doubt I will be bored when I get back.</p>
<p>Oh, I'd like to add that I will not respond to those "chance me" messages listing endless statistics. If you have a specific question about something, or even a specific question on your SAT score/GPA, that is fine. </p>
<p>Endless lists are not fine.</p>
<p>Also, please post on this thread and do not "PM" me. I do not have an account on this and am, therefore, using my younger sister's account. Please do not PM her. I will only respond to messages today and tomorrow.</p>
<p>I have a question (hopefully simple enough). I want to be a math major but I can't decide whether to take Math 130 or 151 my freshman year. Which do you recommend? Also, how strict is the math department about prerequisites, typically?</p>
<p>I know that Caltech does not give any kind of credit for AP tests. Do they have placement tests for math and science classes that would give you credit for what you already know? Do they accept any kind of transfer credits for college work done in high school?</p>
<p>Ok, since my son is sleeping away the day & is a current frosh at Caltech & I have so many questions for him..but he was too busy last night playing his new Wii to talk much..how does one decide whether to take the analytical or practical track of Math in the 2nd semester? He's leaning towards doing the math option and he's felt like this first term was just a repeat of what he's did before coming to Caltech & doesn't want next semester to be another repeat & hopes that practical track will be something different. What do you think? And since he's alseep and I can't ask him any questions about how to play Zelda..does anybody know how I get the cradle from the monkey? I got to frustrated and had to quit and I really don't want to wake him. I know I use the hawk but I don't know how to get close enough to the monkey and call the hawk at the same time. Almost time to put the turkey in the oven..but while it cooks and he sleeps I will have time to play Zelda more..but if you don't have an answer to my Zelda question, I'll work on my Wii tennis game. Thanks.</p>
<p>Yes, there are placement tests. I would think it highly unlikely you would get credit any other way for work done in high school.
Happy gluttony day everyone.</p>
<p>I would HIGHLY recommend analytical math. If he was bored in math 1a, he'll be even more so in prac math. Prac math is the plug and chug course taken mostly by non-math majors. This isn't meant to denigrate the class -- it's just more suited towards someone entering into physics, EE, or mechE who will need skills related more to solving problems than to proving theorems. More than likely, your son should find Ma 1b has more interesting and difficult material. There are some students who should skip out of Math 1b, and if your son thinks he may be one of those he should look into trying the test again to skip out. He should not look to the practical track to provide more challenge or variety.</p>
<p>I should add that for the exact opposite reasons above, I'd highly recommend prac math for students heading into majors requiring a lot of math, but not mathematical proofs (Ph, ME, EE are examples I mentioned above). It'll really make sure the skills you need are second nature. As a side note, CS majors should probably take anal math -- proof skills are essential for the option.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I know that Caltech does not give any kind of credit for AP tests. Do they have placement tests for math and science classes that would give you credit for what you already know? Do they accept any kind of transfer credits for college work done in high school?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>There are placement tests that give you credit for Math 1, Math 2, and Physics 1. For more advanced classes, they won't give you credit, but they'll be much more inclined to waive prerequisites for other classes. For example, let's say you took an analysis course equivalent to Caltech's Math 108. You would then immediately be allowed to take Math 109 or Math 110, both of which usually require Math 108 as a prerequisite. (Of course, there's a good chance they would've let you take those classes anyway.) In terms of the math major graduation requirements, you * must * take a year of analysis, but in this example they would let you substitute graduate analysis for undergraduate analysis.</p>